Since launching his career as a busker at the age of 11, Conor Marcus has gone on to become the youngest ever participant in the Oh Yeah Music Centre’s prestigious ‘Scratch My Progress’ development programme. The Co. Down singer-songwriter recently reached the semi-finals on The Voices Kids UK, and released his latest single ‘No More Broken Hearts’ earlier this summer.

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"As I knew I couldn’t go into the studio and record a full version during lockdown, I looked for a song that I could do with just me and my guitar – so I chose ‘Rough God Goes Riding’. The song has an incredible sax solo by the legendary Leo Green, and I’m sure people who know the song well will miss it, but I hope my version does the song justice!"

Read more in the new Van Morrison Special Issue of Hot Press, and watch Conor Marcus perform 'Rough God Goes Riding' below:

See the schedule for the upcoming performances on 'Rave On, Van Morrison' below:

• Sun Aug 30 David Lyttle feat. Liam Neeson On Hyndford Street (7pm); Paul Brady Cry For Home (8pm)

Plus – an action-packed programme for Van's Big Day on Monday, August 31:

• President Michael D. Higgins with Bill Whelan – ‘Rave On, John Donne’ (7pm)
• Bob Geldof – ‘I'm Tired Joey Boy’ (7.15pm)
• Moya Brennan (Clannad) – ‘The Beauty Of The Days Gone By’ (7.30pm)
• Paul Casey & Friends feat. Terri Hooley – ‘In The Days Before Rock ’n’ Roll’ (7.45pm)
• Brian Kennedy – ‘Days Like This’ (8pm)
• Mary Coughlan – ‘Warm Love’ (8.15pm)
• John Spillane – ‘Cleaning Windows’ (8.30pm)
• Altan – ‘Whenever God Shines His Light’ (8.45pm)
• Malaki – ‘Someone Like You’ (9pm)
• Glen Hansard – ‘Astral Weeks’ (9.15pm)
• Hozier – ‘Caravan’ (9.30pm)

Each 'Rave On, Van Morrison' performance premieres every night on the Hot Press YouTube channel. To make sure you don't miss out on any of our upcoming videos, subscribe to our YouTube here!

Hot Press is also publishing a Van Morrison Special Issue, to coincide with ‘Rave On, Van Morrison’, featuring written contributions from the legendary likes of Sinéad O'Connor, Gary Lightbody, Tim Wheeler, Una Healy and David Keenan – who reflect on Van's music and influence. The issue will also look back at five decades of landmark Hot Press interviews with Van, in which he discusses everything from Ray Charles and his other musical heroes, to the inspiration behind the seminal Astral Weeks. Plus, you can expect exclusive photos from the archives, ten ways Van has changed the world, and much more. This historic publication is set to be a must-have for Van Morrison fans all over the world, and is available to pre-order now.